Page 124 of After All This Time

"At my apartment. With Tobias."

Just as I'm about to launch into a rant about how the universe is trying to ruin my life, my phone buzzes again.

TOBIAS

Every time I kiss you, whether that's before I fuck you, while I'm buried inside you, or after I've made you come, it's to remind you that my mouth belongs toyou. And whenever I put my hands on your body, I'm marking you as mine, Firefly.

I freeze, unprepared for the way his words hit me like a wrecking ball. My chest feels tight,andmy pulse hammersin my ears.

"You're smiling like you're in love over there."

Harper's voice cuts through my thoughts, and my head snaps toward her. A look passes between us—quick, silent, and loaded. Her eyes widen in realization, and I shake my head subtly.

Perfect.

How exactly do you explain you're fucking your stepbrother?

Yeah, that sounds really bad.

Actually, it sounds worse the more I think about it.

Fuck it. It is what it is.

"Ready to go, Harper?" Logan's voice draws her attention, and she stutters, torn between me and him, her finger pointing at me like she's accusing me of a crime.

She's got her dream guy waiting, but I can see the questions eating her alive.

"I'm calling you tomorrow," she says, making it sound like a threat.

"You better," I fire back, trying to shove her out the door before Logan picks up whatever scent she's caught. "Now go and have fun, you two," I add, plastering on a sweet smile.

"Thanks, Mom," she snarks, rolling her eyes as Logan grabs her hand and drags her toward the exit.

TOBIAS

She's already been on my ass because I'm not picking you up, so can you please tell her that I offer every single time? Because I'm pretty sure she doesn't believe me.

AMELIA

It's hilarious that my mom terrifies you. Be there soon.

Two hours later, I push through the apartment door, and the scene in the living room stops me completely.

Mom's perched on the couch like she's at a tea party, legs crossed at the ankles, sipping from that tiny-ass mug Tobias hates because it holds about two sips of coffee.

Next to her, Tobias is sprawled out, arm thrown over the back of the couch, looking like he's being slowly tortured.

On the TV, some botoxed housewives are screeching at each other, complete with dramatic finger-pointing and close-ups of mascara tears.Real Housewives of Who Gives a Shit—they're all the same anyway. But I'm dying because Tobias would rather be set on fire than watch this.

"Hey," I say, announcing myself.

"Thank God you're here.Are youokay?"My mom jumps up and rests her hands on my shoulders while Tobias gestures at the TV like it's physically causing him pain.

"No, I lost a toe on the way." I roll my eyes. "Of course I'mokay."

"Hmm. I still think Tobias should be picking you up when it's dark." I glance at him again, and he throws his hands up like,Save my ass here,since I'm the one who keeps telling him not to.

"Ido ask him, but he says he's got better things to do, like finding his next hookup,than being my driver." Mom whips around to face him, eyes flashingwith fury. "He also mentioned I'm a pain in his ass, and it might be better if someone just took me off his hands—"

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